Sources in Pakistan told EIR that the ouster of Prime Minister Imran Khan in a no-confidence vote in the Parliament Sunday morning (April 10) will not undermine Pakistan’s close and critical relationship with China. They report that despite his standing up against the U.S. threats following his refusal to join the anti-Russia sanctions, the failing economy (as everywhere) and corruption charges were used to garner adequate support for the opposition. But, the sources said, cooperation with China will not be undermined – the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) is a national project that will not be affected by change of governments. It existed before Imran Khan and will survive his fall. “China is a friend of Pakistan, not any political party, so change of any government does not impact the relationship,” one said. They added that the opposition Pakistan Muslim League, which will take over the government now, is even closer to China than Imran Khan.
Some close Pakistani contacts with positive relationship to China and backers of the CPEC had a strangely sober and calm attitude to the ousting of Imran Khan.
